The capital’s annual festival of arts and culture is back. Running until November 11, it has something for everyone – from exhibitions to panel discussions and talks, live performances and free workshops

Must-see exhibitions

Magdi Mostafa, “Surface of Spectral Scattering, Abu Dhabi”, 2017, Mixed media, sound, led, 500 x 500 x 350 cm

Beyond

A key feature of the festival, this annual exhibition of large-scale sculptures and installations will be shown across the capital. This year, Abu Dhabi Art has introduced artist commissions for Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi and historic sites throughout the emirate including Al Jahili Fort. On display are works by contemporary artists Manal Al Dowayan, Magdi Mostafa and Nasser Al Salem. It’s on in the city and also at Al Jahili Fort and Al Ain Oasis.
November 9 to January 27
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 2pm to 9pm. Tel:  (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

Beyond: Emerging Artists

Alaa Edris, Study for The Great Puzzle 02, 2017
As part of the Beyond exhibition, the festival has introduced a special programme dedicated to supporting UAE-based talent, titled Beyond: Emerging Artists. Curated by established artists Mohammed Kazem and Cristiana de Marchi, the exhibition will display works by Shaikha Al-Mazrou, Alaa Edris and Jumairy and will include a sculpture, a video installation and a live performance titled The Mission.
Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 4pm to 5pm. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

Essential events

For those who enjoy performing arts over exhibitions, this year’s edition of Durub Al-Tawaya features a range of artistic displays including dance shows, concerts and stand-up comedy running at Manarat Al Saadiyat and Warehouse421 until November 11.

Live Ammunition! Music For Clapping, String Quartet And Live Electronics

Cairo-based artist Hassan Khan uses different layers of string quartets, clapping patterns and electronics in this quirky one-hour performance.
November 9
Auditorium, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

Stand-up Comedy Night

This live comedy show will see stand-ups Aditi Mittal and Omar Ismail re-enact a sketch about the blunders and misunderstandings that often result from evolving in a multicultural, multi-linguistic setting.
November 10
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 8.30pm to 10.30pm. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

Free talks to check out

The Global Art World: Creating A New Cultural Geography

Perfect for art enthusiasts, this talk hears from academic director of Christie’s Education New York, Véronique Chagnon-Burke, who will teach listeners about art on a global scale while drawing from her own personal experiences.
November 10
Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 8pm. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

In The Open: Art, Communities And Public Space

Ahmed Mater, artist and executive manager of MiSK Art Institute, will join George Richards, head of heritage projects at Art Jameel, and Flavin Judd, curator and co-president of Judd Foundation to discuss the use of public space for art.
November 9
Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 7pm to 8pm. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

Art History Beyond Borders

Fans of art history can listen to Salwa Mikdadi, associate professor of art history at NYU Abu Dhabi, and Nada Shabout, associate professor of art history at University Of North Texas, debate the importance of curatorial narratives in contemporary art history during this talk.
November 11
Auditorium, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 4pm to 5pm. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

Interactive events

Street Art

Taking public transport this month? Some of the city’s buses have been given an artistic makeover. Philippe Baudelocque (above), who has also painted a wall at the Four Seasons Hotel, presents ‘cosmic’ drawings and links between nature and culture, while Amitabh Kumar transforms a bus into a ‘living animal’ and Pierre Seinturier turns one into ‘rolling countryside’.
November 9 to January 27

Workshops

From November 8 to 11, both adults and kids can take part in a series of workshops for just Dhs25 per person, as well as artist-led masterclasses from Dhs50 per child and Dhs100 per adult.
Art Studio, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

The Details
Abu Dhabi Art runs from November 8 to 11. Dhs50, free for students and children under 18.
Various locations including Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 2pm to 9pm. Tel: (02) 657 5800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabiart.ae

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